Articles

The Degrees of the Celestial Kingdom

The Degrees of the Celestial Kingdom

A doctrinal topic of particular interest to single members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the celestial kingdom. More specifically with this particular article, the differences between the 1st degree of the celestial kingdom will be examined versus the 2nd and 3rd degrees, according to the scriptures. What are these differences and why do they matter to single members? We do know the top degree of the celestial kingdom is for those who have a temple marriage and are

2022-10-30 Randy Gilchrist Spirituality
Weight Loss Ideas

Weight Loss Ideas

Would losing weight help your dating and relationship prospects? Maybe. Probably. Would it also help you to have greater energy, a better mood, and be physically healthier? Yes, definitely. Today in the United States, 2/3 of people are mathematically defined as “overweight” (BMI 25-29) and 1/3 of people are “obese” (BMI 30+). So if you are a part of the 2/3 of people that could stand to lose some weight, hopefully the ideas shared in this little article will help you get started on the path to

2022-10-23 Randy Gilchrist Health and fitness
Conference Quotes, October 2022

Conference Quotes, October 2022

In every general conference, there are great talks and quotes for everyone. And part of that “everyone” includes single members of the church. In this article, as I have done in the past, several quotes of particular relevance, usefulness, and applicability to single members will be shared and reviewed. The spirit of this article’s purpose is contained in this classic truth: “Beware of those who would set up the dead prophets against the living prophets, for the living prophets always take

2022-10-15 Randy Gilchrist Spirituality
Being Happy

Being Happy

I have heard it said before that when we are happy, we better match up with another happy person in a relationship. You give out happiness and then attract it better in return. The happier we are individually, the better the journey will be as a single member of the church as well. That doesn’t mean you don’t desire marriage and companionship. It means you are happy in your current life right now and will be even happier with a positive relationship, commitment, and marriage in the future. So

2022-10-09 Randy Gilchrist Healthy relationships
Initial Impressions

Initial Impressions

I remember reading research stating that the initial impressions we have of others is accurate (meaning, persistent) about 80% of the time. In other words, how a person comes across to us upon our initial meeting with them and as we first begin to get to know them usually continues from there far more often than not. I did a related article on first impressions that you may wish to check out. You can see it here: https://www.ldsdimension.com/articles/first-impressions-46/. So, what does

2022-10-02 Randy Gilchrist Dating
Finding Someone Who  Appreciates the Opposite Sex

Finding Someone Who Appreciates the Opposite Sex

The general climate in the world today is, unfortunately, full of negativity and antagonism. The media especially aims to stir and trigger the unpleasant feelings of fear and anger to draw more ratings: viewers, readers, or listeners. The media is a business, so please remember this. To stir this fear and anger, the media commonly places different people into different groups, and then pits these groups of people against each other. The more the media can get different groups to fear and be

2022-09-24 Randy Gilchrist Dating
Hope for Healing

Hope for Healing

In order to have a good future relationship, it is important to heal notable wounds from personal issues, as well as past failed, hurtful, or otherwise frustrating relationships. A few good suggestions for that includes quality self-help materials, individual psychotherapy, group therapy, or meetings with the bishop. In this article I am just going to offer a few general authority/church-based quotes supporting the idea that you can have real hope to heal and have a future healthy, happy

2022-09-19 Randy Gilchrist Psychological health
The Attraction of Positivity

The Attraction of Positivity

There is an old saying that contains great wisdom: “nothing positive ever came from something negative”. This is true. The one exception: in algebra, a negative number times a negative number becomes a positive result. But real life relationships don’t work that way and don’t operate on this same principle. More negativity just yields more negativity. So therefore, if you are in a negative way and trying to meet people, date, and have relationships, your prospects for success are…very low

2022-09-11 Randy Gilchrist Dating
How Much Do Looks Matter to Women?

How Much Do Looks Matter to Women?

I had a very interesting conversation with a single female member of the church today in therapy. Newly single after a long marriage, she wanted to know how much she should prioritize looks in the men she is starting to meet. Specifically, she wanted me to give my opinion on, how often have I seen women “grow to be attracted to a man” after getting to know him and not being attracted at first. In other words, if she is getting to know a man that she doesn’t really feel is attractive from the

2022-09-04 Randy Gilchrist Understanding women, Dating
Church Quotes on Marriage

Church Quotes on Marriage

Over the years, many good quality quotes have been given by general authorities giving insight, support, and encouragement for to construct of marriage, as well as how to have the best one possible. As you date and prepare for your own future marriage, perhaps these quotes can be useful, helpful, and motivational. General Authority Quotes on Marriage: An Opportunity for Eternal Marriage in this Life or the Next: “Many of the most important deprivations of mortality will be set right

2022-08-29 Randy Gilchrist Marriage preparation
Hope in Future Relationships

Hope in Future Relationships

When one’s relationship life has included difficult breakups, hurt, disappointment, and even trauma, it very understandable that people may lose hope in having and retaining a committed relationship. Does this describe you? Do you feel “snakebitten” from previous relationships? Does the hurt from whatever you have been through make you second guess whether you can make a future relationship worse? If so, then it may be worth your while to strengthen your hope in the future. Because if you don’t

2022-08-21 Randy Gilchrist Dating, Healthy relationships
The Role of the Spirit in the Relationship

The Role of the Spirit in the Relationship

Here is a great rule of thumb to help your current or future dating/marriage relationship: the more often you both possess the Spirit, the better your relationship will be. Now, I understand that relationships are more complex than this and more is required than whether or not you have the Spirit inside. However, it is a tremendous advantage when this is the case. We understand from our membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that always having the companionship of the

2022-08-13 Randy Gilchrist Dating, Spirituality
Cats, Dogs, and Relationships

Cats, Dogs, and Relationships

What do different pets say about their owners? It’s true that owners of different pets tend to have certain traits that would make them a match for such an animal. In other words, the choice of animal a person makes gives you some insight into the individual: their personality, their outlook on life, what they are interested in, and so on. An important element of relationships is the need for new people to be sharp and effective new relationship detectives. The sooner you find out what the

2022-08-06 Randy Gilchrist Dating, Healthy relationships, Conflict resolution
What Matters Most in a Partner

What Matters Most in a Partner

What matters most in your choice of partner? First of all in previous articles, I’ve reviewed basic nature of attraction: what men are attracted to in women and what women are attracted to in men. These articles reviewed those important elements that promote initial attraction and keep attraction going. Attraction matters. These articles can be reviewed at: https://www.ldsdimension.com/articles/attractors-with-men-unwritten-forces-at-work-283/

2022-07-31 Randy Gilchrist Healthy relationships
Online Dating Filtering

Online Dating Filtering

Both in and out of the church, online dating has moved from the “extreme” to “mainstream” today. The advantages of online dating include convenience, the high quantity of possible love interests, and a physical safety/security. However, there are many common complaints about online dating as well, including there being scammers, liars, con artists, and people otherwise misrepresenting themselves. So how can you be successful in your online dating effort? Simple (but not easy). Pick better.

2022-07-16 Randy Gilchrist Dating
Common Dating Gripes

Common Dating Gripes

Is dating difficult and challenging for today’s single members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? It seems so, based upon the common and often understandable complaints I hear regularly. Many singles feel their church leaders are not listening to them or taking their concerns seriously. Singles often feel ignored, neglected, or lower status or concern in wards. It also seems true that for the most part, the solutions to your dating challenges are mostly going to need to come

2022-07-10 Randy Gilchrist Dating